Knitting Again Feels Right...and Left

So many things to make and do that knitting kind of fell by the wayside. I haven't knit since last year. Can't believe that but it's true. So true that I forgot how to cast on and realized I was knitting left handed and then had to change back to Continental. That was 1/4 through this project. It just felt sort of wrong. I'm in the zone again and made these handwarmers by Purl. I had intended to make the fingerless glove version of this pattern but never did and then when this pattern came out without fingers, I knew I had to make them. So I did.

Next project?

Indie Business: Textile Fetish

This week I want to tell you about my very good and extremely talented friend Jennifer Ramos of Textile Fetish. If you were to follow me around for a day you would see me using various Textile Fetish items from all of my knitting and crochet needle cases, to my potholders, my coffee cup sleeve to keep my coffee cup cool, various aprons, pouches, and even my business card case and messenger bag. I'm a regular walking Textile Fetish Advertisement I believe. How could I not be? Jennifer's work is thoughful and the fact that she really works hard to use repurposed fabrics into her products is a big kudo for me. So this week, I received a special circular knitting needle case made just for me. I'm totally spoiled! It's very roomy and folds up for easy storage. Great colored fabric that will last and last too! I just love it! Thanks girl. I also got a couple of zippered pouches which are useful for supplies. The oilcloth one would be great for the beach to carry my money, phone, and lipbalm. Oh, and the shrinky dink pendant she made me. So fun. And pretty unique too.
There are 2 sets of 4 pockets on each side and it folds in half down the black material and then folds into a smaller case as seen above in the top pic with a tie.
Please visit Jennifer's shop and see all of the colorful products she carries. She also has kid's clothes that are the cutest!

Bobbles on My Mind

I've been craving bobbles for a long time and have always wanted to learn how to make them. Well, not exactly these bobbles, but aren't they cute?
I know there are crochet bobbles and knitted bobbles so either way I could learn. Finally, having completed all of my lined up projects it was time to try the knitted bobble. I started simple and inexpensive with a free pattern from Berroco.com called the Rory Scarf and knitted this up. It has bobbles on the diagonal and was rather easy. One thing learned though is when you're knitting bobbles, it tends to eat up a lot of yarn. So be aware. This scarf is warm and yummy and I wear it all of the time now.
Once I realized I had the hang of the bobbles, I kept going on this bobble roll and am currently conquering the Surface Sweater and Wrap by Nora Gaughan found on Knitty.com. Initially I just wanted to make the wrap, but when I completed it, I knew it really needed to have it's mate, the sweater. So I am currently working on that. It's going fine but I may not complete it until after our California winter is over; which could be any minute. I'm using Zara fine merino by Filatura di Crosa in a berry red color. The yarn is super soft and squishy. It was an excellent choice for the project. It's also very affordable on WEBS.
Hey, also, if you're on Ravelry, find me to see the progress and my other projects. I'm bonnindesigns.

Looking Forward to Keeping Warm

I was completely enthralled when I came across the free patterns for Toast and Toasty on A Friend to Knit With blog. It was a must do right now type pattern but of course, I didn't have enough stash yarn to complete the pattern the length the pattern asked for. Which turned out fine, because being a bit smaller, I made them only one inch shorter and added colors which I just love.
I knitted the green ones with Cascade 220 and the black color blocked ones with merino wool I had laying around. The pattern is easy and moves quickly. I think these will make great holiday gifts. I finished a pair as a one and 1/2 day project only about 4 hours total.
My next pair will be a more luxurious yarn, a bit thinner and softer.

How Do Knitting and Jewelry Go Together?

Like this! A cool art bead in the shape of a red skein of yarn with knitting needles is proudly worn on a black onyx necklace. If you're a knitter, this is a must have. Show your knitting pride. Now available at Bonnin Designs.
But if you're a chocoholic like me, these Chocolate Strawberry earrings are too irresistable. Also available at Bonnin Designs now.

Inspiration From the Kitchen Sink

Lately, inspiration for new projects has been coming at me like a Mack truck. I’m not only talking about inspiration for jewelry projects, but home projects, crochet projects, photography and even cooking. As I look back a couple of months I had nothing in me. I wasn’t motivated, I wasn’t doing much except focusing on my back rehabilitation. This was a good thing at the time but I so wanted to be motivated to create something, anything. Now I can’t stop. I’m putting off tedious chores that must be done and making things instead.
A couple of weeks ago I ordered some pendants which arrived today. So now, the Cherry Earrings are back up on the website and I have lots of other fun new doo dads to create jewelry with. And yes, those are red porcelain yarn balls with knitting needles on the left side of the top photo which will be bitchin’ earrings soon enough.
This morning, my adorable neighbor that reminds me of when my Grandma Jean was in her younger years, was standing out in her front yard with her rollers in her hair talking to her gardener. I went over to say hi and she beckoned me inside. “I want to show you something”. Knowing that I’ve been crochet obsessed lately she brings me into her kitchen and shows me this acrylic yarn pot scrubber thing. She says she bought it at a campground a few years back. Some old lady was selling it, she says. Raving about how it had ‘wire in it’ which it turns out wasn’t wire at all, but nylon netting. And how it scrubs pots really well and it's small so you can scrub in the crevices. Regretfully, She also wished she had bought more. So in my head I’m thinking damn, I could do that. I know that I could figure out how to make one, and also thinking in my head “Shari, you have enough projects on your plate: crocheted cupcakes, the dog sweater you were going to crochet, the jewelry you’re making when the package arrives”. And what do I do? I ignore the voice in my head and head to the local craft store to pick up supplies for pot scrubbers and the dog sweater and proceed home. Do you believe that I stood at my kitchen counter and made a pot scrubber? Mine is cotton, not acrylic though and she will be so surprised.